More people are interested in buying locally made products than ever before.
You can capitalize on many consumers’ return to local shopping by emphasizing that all components of your furniture are made in the United States, or in your town or area.
The same applies to handmade goods. Individuals who are tired of mass-produced goods are often the same people who are interested in buying locally.
Given this climate, it is a good time to start a handmade furniture business.

The future of architecture is here, and it looks a lot like a bee building a hive. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Computational Design and Construction recently showed off a new concept called Cyber Physical Macro Material, which in plain english translates to: drones building stuff.

University of Stuttgart/ICD

The ICD, which is known for its wild architectural experiments, has explored drone-built architecture in the past, but this is the most sophisticated example of the technology yet. Using drones, the researchers were able to build and manipulate the shape of a canopy in real time, turning it into a morphing shade that reacts to the world around it.

University of Stuttgart/ICD

The canopy’s shade is built out of carbon fiber modules that are integrated with sensors and communication technology. The drones, which are programmed with certain behaviors, communicate with each module and are able to grab the lightweight shades like an insect carrying pollen and hook them into place. It’s pretty remarkable to watch.

The researcher say they can program the drones with behaviors that allow them to be responsive to...

Autonomous building is here

The future of architecture is here, and it looks a lot like a bee building a hive. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Computational Design and Construction recently showed off a new concept called Cyber Physical Macro Material, which in plain english translates to: drones building stuff.

University of Stuttgart/ICD

The ICD, which is known for its wild architectural experiments, has explored drone-built architecture in the past, but this is the most sophisticated example of the technology yet. Using drones, the researchers were able to build and manipulate the shape of a canopy in real time, turning it into a morphing shade that reacts to the world around it.

University of Stuttgart/ICD

The canopy’s shade is built out of carbon fiber modules that are integrated with sensors and communication technology. The drones, which are programmed with certain behaviors, communicate with each module and are able to grab the lightweight shades like an insect carrying pollen and hook them into place. It’s pretty remarkable to watch.

The researcher say they can program the drones with behaviors that allow them to be responsive to what’s happening in the environment. Imagine a swarm of drones that knows where the sun is and builds shade accordingly. Or drones that can sense atmospheric data and will build a canopy before it starts raining. Granted, we’re still a ways away from truly useful responsive architecture, but experiments like these give a little glimpse of what’s to come.

Autonomous building is here

The future of architecture is here, and it looks a lot like a bee building a hive. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Computational Design and Construction recently showed off a new concept called Cyber Physical Macro Material, which in plain english translates to: drones building stuff.

University of Stuttgart/ICD

The ICD, which is known for its wild architectural experiments, has explored drone-built architecture in the past, but this is the most sophisticated example of the technology yet. Using drones, the researchers were able to build and manipulate the shape of a canopy in real time, turning it into a morphing shade that reacts to the world around it.

University of Stuttgart/ICD

The canopy’s shade is built out of carbon fiber modules that are integrated with sensors and communication technology. The drones, which are programmed with certain behaviors, communicate with each module and are able to grab the lightweight shades like an insect carrying pollen and hook them into place. It’s pretty remarkable to watch.

The researcher say they can program the drones with behaviors that allow them to be responsive to what’s happening in the environment. Imagine a swarm of drones that knows where the sun is and builds shade accordingly. Or drones that can sense atmospheric data and will build a canopy before it starts raining. Granted, we’re still a ways away from truly useful responsive architecture, but experiments like these give a little glimpse of what’s to come.

Give your business a name. Name your business something that indicates what you sell. This will come in handy later on, when you are marketing your business and want people to associate your business name with handmade furniture.

File a DBA, which stands for “doing business as,” at your local county clerk’s office. You may want to do a search to ensure that no other business in your town is operating under the same name. If you live in a large metropolitan area, a search is a necessity.

Create a line of furniture. You’ll need to have models of each piece of furniture that you intend to sell, so that customers can easily visualize what you have to offer. Add to your furniture line each year so that your stock stays fresh and on-trend.